No matter how much you love your life, your environment, and your routine (and I do), sometimes, it’s good to have a change of pace and a change of scenery. Following the same routine day after day can lead to stale energy, and a quick and easy way to shake things up a bit is to get out of your normal environment. So last weekend I went to visit a friend in New York City – my favorite city in the whole world. What’s not to love? In addition to being able to walk everywhere you want to go, there are so many great restaurants on every block, there’s Central Park, and there’s the incredible energy of a city of millions of people. And I hadn’t seen my friend in two years, so it was long past time for a visit.
I had a fabulous weekend, and the trip reminded me how important a change of pace and scenery and an opportunity to get out of one’s normal routine can be. Instead of my usual routine I spent the weekend walking around the city with my friend. We caught up on each others’ lives, ate at wonderful restaurants, went to a comedy club (celebrity sighting: Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock!), and hung out with my friend’s cats. I came home feeling relaxed and recharged.
Even if you can’t get away for a weekend, there are simple ways to incorporate a change of pace into your day. You’ll be surprised how even small changes can shift your energy, and as a result, free up creativity, open your mind to new and different possibilities, and make you feel great.
Some suggestions for a simple change of pace:
- Take a different route to work. Instead of going the quickest way, go the scenic route one day. If you work from home, find a different place in the house to work from.
- Make small changes in your daily routine. Do you always follow the same sequence when you first get up in the morning? Shake things up a bit.
- Try a new food you’ve never had before. Is there an ethnic cuisine you’ve never head but always wanted to try?
- Rent a movie that’s different from your usual fare. Do you usually watch dramas? Try a comedy.
You’ll be surprised how these seemingly small changes of pace can shift your energy.
What a great idea – simply getting out of the other side of the bed. Thanks, Renee!
You know, sometimes it’s as simple as climbing out of the other side of the bed in the morning. Glad to hear that you had a wonderful trip. I love this post. It’s a great reminder to reach out for a fresh perspective! -R